Form for cement cisterns.



G. A. W'ATKINS.

.FORM POR CEMENT GISTERNS. APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 2, 1911.

Patented Dea'z, 1913 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

G. A. WATKINS.

FORM FOR CEMENT GISTBRNS.

APPLICATION HLBD AUG. 2, 1911.

1,080,187, Patented Dec. 2, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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GEORGEA. WATKINS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

FORM `FOR CEMENT GISTERNS.

Speccation of `Letters Patent.

Application filed August 2, 1911.

Patented Dec. 2, 1913. Serial No. 641,982.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. WATKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, haveinvented certain new and useful. Improvements in Forms for VCementCisterns, of which the following is a specification. j Y

My invention relates to a form for cement cisterns and is particularlydevised in an endeavor to produce a knock-down form of extremesimplicity combined with rigidity and to attain such result in a mannerthat will permit of the removal of independent sections constituting theform without in any way decreasing the security of the remaining partsin their proper position.

Further than this, I aim to provide a structure of form comprising acrown made up of independent elements, which are given capability foradjustment within a small range by the provision of a collar memberconnecting the inner extremities of said crown elements and adjustableby especially provided means. The adjusting means is of peculiar typefor the purpose of increasing the security of the collar in its adjustedposition. Y

My invention further resides in the provision of braces for certain ofthe sections comprising the body portion of the form. It may, also, benoted that these sections are of such a structure, that aside from theirindependent support when in normal position, they preclude the admissionof moisture to any appreciable degree within the form during the moldingoperation.

The preferred adaptation of my invention is shown in the accompanyingdrawings, in which similar characters of reference designatecorresponding parts, and in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view partly broken away ,of my form in assembledcondition, Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the form,Fig. 3 is a detail view of the collar and adjusting rods, Fig. 4 is adetail View in elevation of a` section of my form showing the latchingmechanism for the independent crown elements, Fig. 5 is a section takenon line 5 5 of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the upper memberof my collar structure, and, Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of thecomplemental member of my collar structure.

My concrete form is shown in the drawings as comprised of cylindricalsections l, 2, 3 and 4 which are each preferably formed :from a numberof segmental pieces of thin iexible metal havingV their endsover-lapping as at 5 and joined by hinge members 6 and pintles 7.

The bases of the members 2, 3 and 4 are preferably formed withconcentricV annular anges 8 which are adapted to fit over the upperedges of the sections upon which they are superimposed. Coacting withthese an- .nular flanges are pivoted button members 9 for normallymaintaining the sections in place. This structure of joint between thegsections is peculiarly adapted for eXcludling moisture from theinterior of the form `during the molding operation. .ther apparent thatthe flange becomes embedded in the concrete surrounding the It isfursame and rests upon the ridge formed thereby. Owing to this result,it becomes possible to withdraw any section or portion of sectionwithout in any way jeopardizing the stability of the remainder of theform. Inasmuch as the section 1 is subjected to the full weight of theform and concrete, it is desirable to provide the same with bracingmembers and for practical convenience, reliability and strength, I findit most desirable to utilize such braces as are shown at 10 which areconnected to brackets 1l and are preferably so disposed as to bisect thecircumference of such section at. short intervals.

The body portion of the form is preferably surmounted by a crown membercomprised of a plurality of radially disposed elements of fan shape.These elements are designated l2, l2a and 12b and extend uniformly to apoint just without the cylindrical body portion forming an eave inconnection therewith. The inner ends of the elements 12, 12a and 12b arepreferably connected as best shown in Fig. 3, to a compound collarmember comprised of a unit 13 having radial slots 14E therein and acomplemental unit 15 surmounting such unit 18. The unit 13 is L-shapedin cross section and the slotsare adapted to receive flanges 16 ofL-shape formed upon the elements 12 and 12, these elements -beingidentical in form, with the exception of the element 12a, which isprovided with' a flange upon either edge and 12b which has no flange. Itwill Ibe understood that this peculiar formation of the element 12@L incomparison with the elements 12, is because this element 12a forms a keyelement for the elements 12.

In other words, the elements 12 overlap each' other,but the element 12ais overlapped upon both edges. The provision of the flanges or angleirons 16 upon the edges of the elements comprising the crown member, ispartly for the purpose of positively locating the elements because thesaid flanges or angle irons fit within the slots 14 and partially toserve as a rigid series of braces for the crown. Inasmuch as the element12b, which overlaps the element 12a along one edge and one of theelements 12 along its other edge, cannot be provided with a brace,because of such overlapping effect, the element 12a is provided with abrace upon either edge. In normal operation, the collar unit 15, whichis of L-form in cross section, is forced downwardly upon the inner endsof the elements 12, 12ZL and 12" by means of nuts 17 and 18 upon thethreaded extensions 19 of the fork members 20. This produces a rigidgripping action upon the inner ends of the said elements and holds themin a practicallyT perfect alinement. The fork members 20 are adapted tobe extended downwardly and attached to brackets 21 preferably carried bythe inner periphery of the section 3. With reference to Fig. 3, it willbe noted that these brackets 21 have their horizontal arms 22 eachcoacting with two nuts 20a on the lower threaded extremities of the forkmembers 20 and disposed upon opposite sides of such legs 22, whichpermits a slight vertical adjustment of the fork members or a slighttilting thereof to regulate, with more exactness, the position of thecollars. The outer ends of the elements 12, 12 and 12b are preferablyprovided upon their under surfaces and within the cylindrical body, withkeeper members 23 for the reception of pivoted latches 24 ofsubstantially L- shape and capable of swinging into position to lockeach element to the cylindrical body portion.

In operation, it will be understood that it is desirable to form thebase of the cistern initially, and to then place the section 1 inposition and brace the same by the brace members 10. After this, thesection 2 is placed in position upon the section 1 and is assembled bymeans of the pintles 7 and hinge members 6. When the portions of thissection are assembled upon the section 1, the section 2 is preferablylocked in position by the pivoted buttons 9. The remaining sections arethen applied in a substantially Videntical manner and the crown elementsare placed in position with their inner ends clamped in the compoundcollar and their outer ends resting upon the upper edges of the formedcylindrical body. Then, the latches 24 are moved into positionV beneaththe keepers 23 and the forked members 20 are attached to the brackets 21and adjusted for properly positioning the collar. After this, thecylindrical collar member 26 is placed loosely upon the collar 15. Itwill be noted thatthis collar may be formed in segments as shown at 27.It will also be noted that I preferably utilize an external collarmember 28 for forming the collar of the molded cistern more perfectlyannular. In dismantling the device, it is only necessary to release anybutton 9 and the pintles 7 and to withdraw any section. The remainingsections will be positively maintained in place, inasmuch as they restupon the ridges formed by their base flanges. To dismantle the crownmember, it is desirable to withdraw the element 12a first. This is doneby first swinging the pivoted latch 24: out of engagement with itskeeper 23, loosening the compound collar and moving the element 12iLinwardly until its outer extremity clears the upper edge of thecylindrical body. The element is then swung downwardly and removed. Therelease of the remaining crown elements is effected in a substantiallysimilar manner.

It will be apparent that I have provided a form for molding concretecisterns, which may .be readily dismantled, inasmuch as it is possibleto remove any element without rendering the remainder `of the structureliable to collapse. It is further apparent that I have provided aconcrete form wherein the collar may be adjusted to properly elevate orlower the collar or to slightly rotate the collar by an adjustment ofone of the legs of a forked member.

I'Vhat I claim, is-

1. A form for cement cisterns comprising a body, a plurality of crownpieces, a collar embracing said crown pieces at their inner ends, andforked adjusting rods between said collar and said body.

2. A form for cement cisterns comprising a body, a plurality of crownpieces, and a collar element comprising multiple pieces mounted insuperposed relation with each other for supporting the inner ends ofsaid crown pieces.

3. A form for cement cisterns comprising a body, a plurality of crownpieces, a collar element for supporting the inner ends of said Crownpieces, keeper elements, and pv- Oted latch elements for co-acton withsaid keepers for supporting said crown pieces at their outer ends.

4. A form for cement oisterns comprising a body, a plurality of crownpieces, a collar element for supporting the inner ends of said crownpieces, keeper elements on the outer ends of said Crown pieces, and pV-10 oted latch elements on said body for coacton With said keepers.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

GEORGE A. WATKINS. Witnesses:

C. C. SHEPHERD,

WALTER E. S. Book.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C.

